LETTER: Home schooling viable alternative

Patrick BranchNorthport

Published: Monday, April 1, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 11:22 p.m.

Dear Editor: I was simply embarrassed to read the letter to the editor from Gerald Shirley, the superintendent of Selma City Schools, regarding the proposed bill allowing homeschooled children to participate in public school activities such as sports. Many call this the “Tim Tebow” bill. I failed to see any point the superintendent was attempting to make. I would have been proud to have Tebow on any team I was on.

Our children are homeschooled. I am incredibly proud of them. Our children excel in areas I did not even realize existed when I was their age such as public service, government, and self esteem.

Likewise, my wife and I are routinely stopped and asked why our children perform and act as properly as they do. Colleges and universities across the country are singing the praises of this new movement and are targeting homeschooled children for scholarships.

The real issue here is government versus the individual. I believe I can educate my children more efficiently, morally, practically, and with a stronger emphasis on the important subject matters than the government can.

One look at a report from the state of Alabama or the federal government’s own education report card shows that public schools are failing all over our state, including Selma. If the public schools are getting our tax dollars, shouldn’t our kids be allowed to play?

No thank you, superintendent, as for me and my house, we will worship the Lord and train our children in the way that they should go.

<p>Dear Editor: I was simply embarrassed to read the letter to the editor from Gerald Shirley, the superintendent of Selma City Schools, regarding the proposed bill allowing homeschooled children to participate in public school activities such as sports. Many call this the “Tim Tebow” bill. I failed to see any point the superintendent was attempting to make. I would have been proud to have Tebow on any team I was on.</p><p>Our children are homeschooled. I am incredibly proud of them. Our children excel in areas I did not even realize existed when I was their age such as public service, government, and self esteem. </p><p>Likewise, my wife and I are routinely stopped and asked why our children perform and act as properly as they do. Colleges and universities across the country are singing the praises of this new movement and are targeting homeschooled children for scholarships.</p><p>The real issue here is government versus the individual. I believe I can educate my children more efficiently, morally, practically, and with a stronger emphasis on the important subject matters than the government can. </p><p>One look at a report from the state of Alabama or the federal government's own education report card shows that public schools are failing all over our state, including Selma. If the public schools are getting our tax dollars, shouldn't our kids be allowed to play? </p><p>No thank you, superintendent, as for me and my house, we will worship the Lord and train our children in the way that they should go.</p>